Wichita eagle., 1887-04-19
WHY WOMEN SHOULD VOTE,
And Why Men do Not Want Them &c
Vote.

made up my mln0 some Time ago, Sn9s
just as soon as the spring elections were
over, and our minds were in proper condi-
ton to deliberate calmly, to advance some
very profound ideas on the subject OF mu-
nicipal suffrage for women. now pro-
ceed to do it. In the first place you must
bare in mind that our system OF govern
ment is founded on different principle
from that of any other government ever es-
tablished among men. The principle that
all powers of government are derived from
the consent of the governed. This Is the
Bethlehemic star in the political horizon
that is directing the foot steps OF the wise
men of all countries to the shrine OF free
dom. This being the case and women be
ing compelled to obey the laws OF the gov
eminent the same as men, every law enact
ed should have their consent. 1t is therefore
illogical to conclude that women should
not have the same voice in the government
as men, All just powers Of the govern
are derived from the consent OF the gov
erned therefore government to be just
must have their consent. Where IS the
statesman who studies the constitution
and laws of his country with the view OF
bringing them up to the ideal conceived IN
the minds of the fathers of the republic,
who can come to any other conclusion! A
good many of the arguments put forward
against municipal suffrage for women are
not ouly illogical but they are foolish in
the extreme. The most delicate lady in
the land is able to vote If physical strength
is all that is required The simple act OF
depositing vote in the ballot box does not
require near the strength that Is required
to remove the cork from beer bottle. TO
vote for the best interest OF society Is
rather a mental than phys
ical act. To say that women
have not the mental ability to vote is
extremely comical, when we consider that
the women of today are to very large e1-
tent the educators Of the future voters and
statesmen of this country. If the boys in
our public schools are to be the intelligent
voters of the future, it would be interest
ing to know at what stage OF his mental
development the boy passes his teacher, II
those lady teachers have not sense enough
to vote. That other idea advanced, which
places women on moral plane SO far
above the science Of government that any
thought on her part on the subject would
degrade her, like the idea advanced by
some divines that the wines used in our
Savior's time were not fermented is invent
ed for the occasion, and not worth answer
ing. The objection to be found against
women voting is not in our form OF gov
eminent. or in the prin ciples promulgated
in our Declaration of Independence.
nor in the mental inferiority of women. but
the great objection to women suffrage is to
be found in the mind and hearts OF men.
That is pretty solid confession isn't 1t.
Now if only men read the EAGLE l might
stop right here, but the EAGLE and its
editor being much admired by the ladies,
some of them are sure to read this letter,
and will want to know why men object to
their voting. precede to tell them. Now,
ladies' the old adage that Caesars wife
should be above suspicion" hit. every man
in the country right square between the
eyes. Now of course Ceasar can be al
lowed little more latitude in meandering
around because Ceasar is supposed to
know how to behave himself. Women are
more enclined to be lenlent in this respect
than are men. have seen men On the
downward road to moral ruin and desra-
dstion and have heard good women say If he
would marry some good woman she would
reform him. When man marries a We
man to reform her, she would have
sunken long way below the moral stand
ard of dog if she is improved any by
association with such man. When
man loves a woman she does not need any
reforming, she is the presonification OF vir-
tue and goodness. The man makes a
great consession when he says she IS just
little lower than the angles. And when
that woman comes to preside over that
mans home, she makes Of It temple
dearer to him than his own life or honor.
He would gravely enact in the laws OF his
country to fine person $40 for taking the
name Of Deity in vain. while he would be
firmly Of the opinion that any one who
should breathe breath OF suspicion against
the sanctity Of that home ought to be
shot Now all tho Mrs. Gougers in
ChrstondoIn could not pursuaoe
that man that it is the duty OF his wife to
take part in party politics. He is not afraid
that she will be degraded, but he is afraid
tha. the common herd will not appreciate
her goodness. And the feeling that nature
ha. put in his heart to defend her Is
aroused. and he SAYS am afraid by taking
part In politics and party contests, you will
put yourself In positioA where l can not
defend YOU. Hence as long IS scofers and
liars and defamers Of character continue to
be factor In political contests, men will
not want their wives and mothers and sis
,ers 10 take part Ia them. So you see that
while women would probably make very
intelligent voters, ths men are not quite
educated up to the peint Of granting If
cheerfslly. This letter will occupy all the
space allowed me. At some future time
viii enlarge on this subject.